This last season, Canadian freestyle snowboarders received no direct funding from the Canadian Snowboard Federation (CSF). This was in response to their desire to ride where and when they wanted, to take off to shoot a film or product photoshoot, to simply be free.
What they did get was continued indirect support of performance enhancements -- wax technicians, physio, massage therapy, etc. -- at World Cups and team camps.
Despite this limited direct support for the 2007/2008 season Canadian freestyle snowboarders had impressive finishes on the World Cup stage. Lipscomb, 28, ended up winning the final World Cup in Italy and fellow Canadians also had strong showings.
The CSF is hoping that Own the Podium (OTP) will increase 2008/2009 funding from $1.4M to $2M. If OTP increases funding to this level the CSF plans to have an official six-boarder national team.
There's no doubt that owning the podium for freestyle snowboarding will be a challenge. Many European countries have strong riders and the American's could also take the podium.
More on freestyle snowboard sponsorship from the Vancouver Sun.
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